Walking/wading staff with integral fishing net

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses ball projection cup connector assemblies for holding or carrying outdoor recreational equipment, especially gear such as traditional fishing nets, hiking sticks, water bottles or walking staff/fishing net combinations. The pieces of gear have a ball projection that is integral or attached as a separate piece. The cup connector can attach to a person&#39;s outerwear via a standard clip, a clip holder assembly or other fastening means. Alternatively, the cup connector may be incorporated into the clothing of the outerwear.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/520,209 filed on Jun. 6, 2011, entitled WADING STAFF WITH INTEGRAL FISHING NET, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to assemblies for holding or carrying outdoor recreational equipment. For example, this invention addresses the need for those who need to use a wade or walking staff to get to a favorite fishing spot, but are reluctant or discouraged because of the awkwardness or difficulty of stowing the same while fishing. Specifically, this invention provides for a ball projection and cup connector assembly design that allows someone to hold or carry on their person outdoor recreational equipment such as hiking sticks, fishing nets, water bottles or any other equipment commonly used by outdoors persons including the walking staffs/fishing net combinations that are disclosed in provisional application 61/520,209 and sister non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/482,046.

Many outdoor sporting activities such as hunting, fishing or hiking require persons to carry several pieces of gear to a specific place. For example, fly-fishing in rivers and streams requires transporting multiple pieces of fishing gear to a desired fishing spot near a river's edge or midstream. Until reaching their preferred spot for repeated fly-castings, these fishermen must keep all necessary gear with them within reach. The less “equipment” they need to worry about or potentially leave behind, the better. The invention allows people to carry such equipment by using an interlocking ball projection and cup connector assembly design. This invention also allows equipment to be stowed on the person so that it is always available and within reach.

2. Summary of the Invention

The ball projection and cup connector assembly design of this invention allows outdoor recreational gear to easily attach to its user for transport and for stowing. One embodiment of the invention has the assembly design being utilized on a combination walking staff/fishing net with a telescopic staff such as that disclosed in provisional application 61/520,209 and sister non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/482,046. On the top of the disclosed walking staff/fishing net is a handle for gripping the staff while walking, wading, or hiking. The ball projection and cup connector design can also be used with other pieces of outdoor gear including but not limited to traditional fishing nets, hiking sticks and water bottles.

The design contemplates a projection, preferably a projection that ends in a sphere (the ball), as a part of a specific piece of outdoor gear. This projection slideably interlocks with a cup connector attached to a person via an opening in the front of the cup. Though end of the projection is preferably spherical, any feasible end shape that can slideably interlock with the cup is contemplated by the invention. Though any practical design of an interlocking cup is contemplated by the invention, a funnel cup design is preferred. The cup connector may be affixed directly to the sportsperson's outerwear clothing via a simple clip attachment, a clip plus holder attachment or any other fastening means. Likewise, the cup connector may be incorporated as part of a user's outerwear such as a fishing vest, a wading jacket or a fishing shirt. Incorporation designs can include, but not limited to, the cup connector being sewn in the clothing, or attachment via snaps, a D-ring attachment or a shirt loop for easy removability of cup from the person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further features, objectives and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when referring to the following detailed description made with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a is an upper perspective view of the cup connector with one embodiment of a clip assembly according to this invention;

FIG. 1 b is an exploded view of said cup connector with holder detached.

FIG. 1 c is a rear plan view of said cup connector with holder attached.

FIG. 1 d is a left plan view of said cup connector with holder attached.

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cup connector with a standard clip.

FIG. 2 b is a right side perspective said cup with a standard clip.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a ball projection used on a walking staff/fishing net.

FIG. 4 a is a side perspective view showing a ball projection on a walking staff/fishing net situated over a cup connector.

FIG. 4 b is a side perspective view showing a ball projection on said walking staff/fishing net situated most of the way into a cup connector.

FIG. 4 c is a side perspective view showing a ball projection on said walking staff/fishing net “locked” into the bottom of a cup connector for transport.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a walking staff/fishing net with a ball projection closer to the base of the fishnet frame.

FIG. 6 is a right side perspective view after the walking staff/fishing net depicted in FIG. 5 has been “locked” into a cup connector.

FIG. 7 is a left side perspective view of the FIG. 5 walking staff/fishing net with its ball projection “locked” into a cup connector 180 degrees inverted from the position shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 a is an embodiment of the cup connector incorporated into the front of the outerwear of a sportsperson.

FIG. 8 b is an embodiment of the cup connector incorporated into the back of the outerwear of a sportsperson.

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of a hiking stick with a ball projection design.

FIG. 10 is an embodiment of a water bottle with an integral ball projection design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed invention solves a problem encountered by many sportspersons, especially fishermen during their day of sport/relaxation. While walking/wading through streams, ponds, marshes, swamps, and river or lake shores, they run into unseen perils including sharp rocks, litter and other foreign objects, tree branches, and surprise terrain drop-offs any of which may cause the fishermen to fall and risk serious bodily injury. Such perils may be averted by using a walking/wading staff for better balance, It may prove difficult, however, for one to carry his/her own tackle box, fishing rod/reel, netting and several other accessories while traversing to one's favorite fishing spot. Also, staff storage after reaching one's preferred destination poses a secondary concern.

A preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention alleviates the foregoing problem by incorporating a interlocking connecting system with a telescopic walking staff having a handle grip situated over a fully functional fishing net such as that disclosed in provisional application 61/520,209 and sister non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/482,046. Though the accompanying drawings show one preferred fishnet shape (i.e., teardrop) and width/size, it should be understood that other sizes and shapes of fishing nets and frames may be substituted for same. The invention is a means that for easily connecting the walking staff/fishing net to a user via a ball-projection cup connector interlocking design eliminating handling/storage concerns. FIGS. 8 a and 8 b depict some embodiments of stowing options with a cup incorporated into a fishing vest. With the embodiment shown FIG. 8 b, a fisherman can either reach over his/her shoulder, or down and behind his/her own back for snapping the device out of its own funnel cup holder.

The examples set forth in the drawings show only some possibilities for present embodiments. After studying same, still further variations may be made clear.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a cup connector of the disclosed invention. Cup connector 1 is comprised of funnel cup 2 which has an opening 3 that is wide on the top and narrows along the front, clip 4 attached to the back of funnel cup 2, and holder 5 which receives clip 4 in slot 6 from funnel cup 2 and connects the funnel cup to the user via catches 7. FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a cup connector of the present invention. Cup connector 8 is comprised of funnel cup 9 with opening 11 that is wide on the top and narrows along the front and a standard clip 10 attached to the back. Though the funnel cup is a preferred embodiment, the invention contemplates any feasible cup design that can interlock with the ball projections described in the following figures. Likewise, the invention also contemplates any fastening means known in the art in addition to the clip-holder assembly or the standard clip design shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

One object of this invention is to provide a new and improved way to stow a walking staff-fishnet combination such as that disclosed in provisional application 61/520,209 and sister non-provisional application 13/482,046, Though FIGS. 3-7 depict some preferred embodiments related to this device, the ball projection and cup connector assembly can also be used with traditional fishing nets, hiking sticks and any other type of outdoor gear that is practical to carry on one's person. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a telescopic walking staff/integral fishing net such as that disclosed in provisional application 61/520,209 and sister non-provisional application 13/482,046 projection. Walking staff/fishing net 20 is comprised of frame 21 holding fishing net 24, staff 22 connected at the bottom of frame 21, handle 23 connected at the top of frame 21 and the ball projection 27 comprised of projection 25 having spherical end 26 located on the front of frame 21 towards the top end near the handle 23. Though the ball projections in this and the following figures are depicted with spherical ends, the end of a ball projection can be any feasible shape that can interlock with a cup connector of the disclosed invention, FIG. 4 depicts the walking staff/fishing net 20 from FIG. 3 interlocking with cup connector 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 a shows the ball projection 27 of a retracted walking staff/fishing net 20 situated over cup connector 1, FIG. 4 b shows the ball projection 27 of the walking staff/fishing net 20 situated most of the way into cup connector 1, and FIG. 4 c shows the ball projection 27 of the walking staff/fishing net 20 “locked” into the bottom of cup connector 1 as necessary for transport.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment for the telescopic walking staff/integral fishing net such as that disclosed in provisional application 61/520,209 and sister non-provisional application 13/482,046 projection. Walking staff/fishing net 30 has ball projection 31 located on the top of staff 32 where it connects to the bottom of frame 33. FIG. 6 shows the staff 30 of FIG. 5 without netting being interlocked with the cup connector 8 depicted FIG. 2 via ball projection 31 protruding through opening 11 in funnel cup 9. FIG. 7 depicts staff 30 interlocking with cup connector 8 in an alternative (180 degree opposite) orientation.

FIG. 8 shows embodiments of a cup connector incorporated into the outerwear of sportsperson. FIG. 8 a depicts a front orientation embodiment of vest 40 having cup connector 41 that can interlock with staff 30 as depicted in FIG. 5 via ball projection 31. FIG. 8 b depicts a back orientation embodiment of vest 42 with cup connector 43 that can interlock with staff 20 as depicted in FIG. 3 via projection 27. The outerwear used for incorporation can be any clothing worn by a sportsperson, including but not limited to, a fishing vest, a wading jacket or a fishing shirt. Incorporation designs can include but not limited to the cup being sewn into the clothing, or attachment via snaps, D-ring attachment, or a shirt loop for easy removability of cup from the person.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a ball projection 50 used with a hiking stick 51. Preferably the hiking stick is comprised of telescopic segments 52 that are retractable so that the hiking stick is easier to carry on one's person. FIG. 10 depicts a water bottle 53 with an integral ball projection 54. Though only certain outdoor sporting gear is depicted in the figures, the invention contemplates using a ball projection on any piece of outdoor recreational gear that is practical to carry around on one's person by interlocking with the cup connectors disclosed in the present invention.

Cup connectors can be comprised any materials with enough strength to support a piece of outdoor gear with a ball projection. Ball projections can be integral to the piece of gear or they can be attached as separate pieces by any means known in the art.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes or modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. 

1. A method for connecting a piece of gear to an article of clothing on a person comprising: attaching a cup connector to said article of clothing person, said cup connector comprised of a cup, said cup having a front and a back, said cup also having an opening, the opening being wider towards its top and being more narrow towards the front of said cup, and a fastening attachment located on the back of said cup for connecting said cup to the article of clothing of the person; and inserting a projection of the piece of gear into said cup via the opening of said cup, the projection having an end, and the projection capable of being inserted into and interlocking with said cup.
 2. The method of claim 1 where the piece of gear is a walking staff/fishing net combination.
 3. The method of claim 1 where the end of the projection is a sphere.
 4. The method of claim 1 where the cup is a funnel-shaped cup.
 5. The method of claim 1 where the fastening attachment is a clip integral with the back of the cup, said clip being inserted into an opening of a holder that attaches to a person's clothing.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the holder is further comprised of a plurality of catches.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the projection having an end is integral with the piece of gear.
 8. A method for connecting gear to a person wearing an article of clothing comprising: incorporating a cup connector into the article of clothing, said cup connector comprised of a cup, said cup having a front and a back, said cup also having an opening, the opening being wider towards its top and being more narrow towards the front of said cup; and inserting a projection that is integral to the gear into said cup via the opening of said cup, the projection having an end and the projection capable of being inserted into and interlocking with said cup.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cup connector is incorporated into the article of clothing by sewing the cup connector into the article of clothing.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the cup connector is incorporated into the article of clothing by a means selected from the group consisting of a snap, a D-ring attachment, or a shirt loop.
 11. A piece of outdoor recreational gear, said piece of gear having a ball projection.
 12. The piece of gear of claim 11, wherein the piece of gear is a walking staff/fishing net combination.
 13. The piece of gear of claim 11, wherein the piece of gear is a hiking stick.
 14. The piece of gear of claim 11, wherein the piece of gear is a water bottle.
 15. The piece of gear of claim 11, wherein the ball projection is integral.
 16. An item of clothing capable of connecting a piece of gear with a ball projection to a person comprising: a cup, said cup having a front and a back, said cup also having an opening, the opening being wider towards its top and being more narrow towards the front of said cup, wherein said cup is incorporated as part of said clothing.
 17. The item of clothing in claim 16, where the item of clothing is selected from a group consisting of a fishing vest, a wading jacket, or a fishing shirt. 